A video has gone viral showing a terrified woman in Pittsburgh desperately fleeing her ex-boyfriend after he allegedly strangled her and abducted her on Valentine’s Day. According to police, the violent encounter began earlier in the day during a confrontation between the woman and 31-year-old Kenneth M. Clarke.
Investigators say Clarke struck her multiple times and tore a piercing right out of her lip. He also shoved her into a wall and strangled her until she nearly lost consciousness. Police say the attack continued with Clarke dragging the woman by her hair toward a rented U-Haul van.
He reportedly forced her inside the vehicle, where she was positioned to sit in the driver’s seat. When they were both inside the vehicle, Clarke was armed with a pair of scissors, which he used to cut her pants, and threatened to kill her. During the ride, he allegedly attempted to stab her and repeatedly struck her buttocks.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, the woman saw an opportunity to escape when the van stopped near a store. Video footage shows her running from the vehicle and limping into Butler Tobacco and Grocery, visibly shaken. An employee recalled seeing the desperate woman, shoeless and bleeding. While it is unclear where she was bleeding, police say a cut to her ear is among her injuries.
After she entered the business place, she told employees she was being kidnapped. Store workers quickly intervened to protect her, and Clarke came charging into the establishment moments later. Authorities say he quickly left the store when he realised employees were on the phone with police.
Reports say that around 2 p.m., law enforcement was officially alerted to the incident. Police then issued an alert for the vehicle he was driving, and later that day, they found it. There was a short pursuit, but Clarke was ultimately captured by police.
Following the arrest, he was transferred to the Butler City Police Department and formally charged with offences such as kidnapping, aggravated assault, strangulation, terroristic threats, and simple assault. He has appeared before a judge and remains in custody after bail was set at $250,000 while the case moves forward.
Police said the woman is recovering, and they credited the quick actions of the store employees for preventing further harm.
